Support frame for a concrete mixer truck

ABSTRACT

A support frame for a concrete mixer truck comprising a first and second frame assemblies which are detachably secured to the truck frame members. Each of the frame assemblies includes a frame member which is pivotally secured at its rearward end to the rear drum support means. The first frame member is spaced above the truck frame and is secured thereto intermediate the length thereof. A length adjustable rod or turnbuckle means is pivotally connected at its forward end to the first frame member and is pivotally connected at its rearward end to the drum support means. The forward end of the first frame member is secured to a second frame member which is positioned forwardly thereof and which is secured to the truck frame member. Each of the frame assemblies provides a multiple point suspension system for the concrete mixer drum support means so that the drum support means will be maintained in its proper position with respect to the frame means and mixer drum when the truck is passed over rough terrain so as to prevent the mixer drum rail from moving out of engagement with the rear rollers on the rear drum support means.

|72] Inventor ,lnmes Edohmon Wnter1oo,lown [2]] Appl. No. MEEW [22] Filed July 22, 191159 [45] Patented Sept. 7, 1971 [73] Assignee Construction Mnehinelry Company Waterloo, lown [54] SUPWDET FRAME E0111 A CONCRETE Mlll fEllt 8 Claims, 6 Brewing Ems.

[52] US. Cl 259/176 [51] 1nt.Cl Ewe 5/18 [50] fiehll of Search 259/176,

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,722,408 11/1955 ll-llilkemeier 259/176 3,073,580 1/1963 Lendved.... 259/177 (R) 3,081,982 3/1963 Broberg..... 259/176 3,131,913 5/1964 Swarthout 259/177 (1R) atent Primary Examiner"lhomas F. Callaghan Attorney-Zarley, Mcllfee & Thomte AES'li'lltAC'll: A support frame for a concrete mixer truck comprising a first and second frame assemblies which are detachably secured to the truck frame members. Each of the frame assemblies includes a frame member which is pivotally secured at its rearward end to the rear drum support means. The first frame member is spaced above the truck frame and is secured thereto intermediate the length thereof. A length adjustable rod or turnbuckle means is pivotally connected at its forward end to the first frame member and is pivotally conrtected at its rearward end to the drum support means. The forward end of the first frame member is secured to a second frame member which is positioned forwardly thereof and which is secured to the truck frame member. Each of the frame assemblies provides a multiple point suspension system for the concrete mixer drum support means so that the drum support means will be maintained in its proper position with respect to the frame means and mixer drum when the truclt is passed over rough terrain so as to prevent the mixer drum rail from moving out of engagement with the rear rollers on the rear drum support means.

PATENTED SEP 1191: 3,603,565

Midi

@IJIPFUI'IT I 'IIIAII'IIE l 'tltlll A CUl llClltlE'lllE lvillftllillll TItIUClIf Conventional concrete mixer truclxs usually have a frame assembly which is secured to the main truclt frame to support the mixer drum thereon. The drum is generally rotatably driven from the forward end thereof while the rearward end has a fairly narrow ringlilte rail or traclt extending therearound which engages a roller means to rotatably support the rearward end of the drum. When the truck is driven over rough or uneven terrain, the truck frame may twist to such a degree that the rear roller means may be moved with respect to the drum so that the rail will no longer engage the rollers. Structural damage to the equipment may result when the rail moves out of engagement with the rollers and considerable time and expense is also generally required to reposition the drum rail on the rear rollers so that the mixer truck may be used.

Therefore, it is a principal object of this invention to provide a mixer drum support frame for a concrete mixer truck.

A further object of this invention is to provide a support frame for a concrete mixer truck which prevents the rear support rollers from moving out of engagement with the drum rail.

A further object of this invention is to provide a mixer drum support frame which permits relative movement between it and the truck frame.

A further object of this invention is to provide a mixer drum support frame which provides a multiple point support system.

A further object of this invention is to provide a mixer drum support frame which maintains the drum rear support means in the proper position with respect to the mixer drum when the truck is passed over rough or uneven terrain.

A further object of this invention is to provide a mixer drum support frame which is flexible.

A further object of this invention is to provide a mixer drum support frame which is economical of manufacture, durable in use and refined in appearance.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

This invention consists in the construction, arrangements, and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. l is a rear perspective view of a mixer truck having the apparatus of this invention mounted thereon;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the support frame of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side view of the forward end of one of the frame assemblies of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of one of the frame assemblies of this invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view as would be seen along lines 5-5 of FIG. fl; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view illustrating the rearward end of one of the frame assemblies of this invention.

The numeral 116 generally designates a conventional concrete mixer truck as seen in FIG. 11. The numerals I6 and I6 generally refer to frame assemblies which are secured to the upper portions of the truck frame members I8 and I8 respectively. Inasmuch as frame assemblies 116 and I6 are identical, only frame assembly 116 will be described with identical structure on assembly 16' being indicated with For purposes of description frame member 16 will be described as including a bottom flange 26, side 22, and top flange 2A. Drum support means 26 is secured at its lower end to the upper rearward ends of frame members 118 and 16' by clamps 26 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Angle 36 is secured to plate 31 which is secured to drum support means 26 at the lower end thereof while angle 32 is secured to the outer rearward end of frame member I8 by bolts 33. Bolts 34 extend between the angles 30 and 32 to maintain drum support 26 on the frame member I6. It should be noted that the opposite side of drum support means 26 is secured to the rearward end of frame member Ill-I in the manner in which frame member 16 is secured to drum support means 26. Drum support means 26 includes a pair of upstanding posts 36 and 36 generally dcfining an inverted U-shape. Rollers All and 62 are provided on the drum support means 26 and are adapted to have the rail M of the mixing drum 66 roll thereupon. Drum support means 26 also supports the loading hopper 66 and discharge chute as sembly 30.

The numeral 52 refers generally to a frame member having oppositely extending flanges 5dand 3 6 (FIG. 5) joined by a wall 58. Flange 56 is substantially flat and horizontal while the upper end of the frame member 52 is cambered or arched so as to provide a peal portion 66 intermediate the length thereof. Plate 62 is welded to the rearward end of wall 56 and is pivotally connected to the forward end of plate 3ll by a pin 66 in a manner so that the lower rearward end of frame member 52 is spaced above the upper rearward end of frame member 118 (FIG. 6).

Angle 66 is secured to wall 5% of frame member 52 by bolts 6%. Angle 70 is secured to side 22 of frame member 118 by bolts 72. Bolt 76 extends through angles 66 and 70 and limits the upward movement of angle 66 and hence frame member 52 with respect to frame member 18 while permitting frame member 52 to move downwardly or be deflected downwardly towards frame member 118.

Frame member 76 is secured to frame member I8 forwardly of frame member 52 and generally includes oppositely extending flanges 78 and 80 connected by a vertical wall 82. Flange 66' engages the flange 24 of frame member I3 and has an angle 86 secured thereto by bolts 66. Angle 83 is secured to side 22 of frame member 18 by bolts 90 below angle 64 as illustrated in FIG. 3. Bolt 92 extends through the angles 34 and I38 to maintain the forward end of the frame member 76 on frame member 18. Angie 9A is secured to the rearward end of frame member 76 by bolts 96 and extends rearwardly therefrom as best illustrated in FIG. 3. Angle 9'3 is secured to frame member 16 below the forward end of angle 94$ by bolts I00. Bolts I62 and MM extend through angles 94 and 96 to maintain the rearward end of frame member 76 on the frame member 13. The rearward end of angle 94- is secured to the forward end of frame member 52 by bolts 166 so that the forward end of frame member 52 is supported above the upper surface of frame member 118 in a spaced relationship (FIG. 3).

Plate 168 is secured to the inside surface of wall 58 by bolts Illtl and extends upwardly therefrom as seen in FIG. 4. A length adjustable rod or turnbuckle means I112 is pivotally connected at its forward end to plate 163 by pin llll ll. Bracket 1116 is secured to drum support means 26 and has the rearward end of rod lll2 pivotally connected thereto by pin Illll. Brace M9 is secured to and extends between the plates I66 and I03 by means of the bolts III A drum support means generally designated by the reference number I26 is operatively secured to frame member 76 and 76' and rotatably supports the forward end of the mixer drum d6 thereon. Thus, the forward end of the mixing drum is mounted on and supported by the forward ends of the assemblies l6 and 16' while the rearward end of the drum is mounted on and supported by the rearward end of the assemblies I6 and 116'.

When the truck I4 is passed over uneven or rough terrain, any twisting of the frame members lb or III does not result in drum support means 26 being moved to such a degree with respect to rail AMI so as to cause the rail A4! to move out of engagement with the rollers 40 and 4l2 or vice versa. The frame members 52 and 52 will deflect downwardly towards frame members 16 and 118' respectively if severe upward forcesare applied to the truck frame members due to the cambered configuration of the same and also due to the fact that frame members 52 and 52 are spaced above the upper ends of frame members 16 and 16. Additionally, each of the frame assemblies l6 and 16' are sufficiently flexible due to the connection of the frame members of each of the same and due to the length adjustable rod llll2 connecting the assembly with the drum support means so that the drum support means 26 will not be moved out of position with respect to the mixer drum 46. For example, if a severe upward force is applied to frame member 18, forward tipping or twisting of the drum support means 26 is resisted by the length adjustable rod 112 since stress forces will be applied through the rod 112 into the frame member 52 and thence into the frame member 18. The relationship and connection of the frame members 52 and 76 with respect to frame member 18 is such that a somewhat flexible mixer drum support frame is provided which absorbs and spreads stress forces applied thereto to maintain the drum support means 26 in a proper position with respect to the rail 44. Thus, as the frame members 18 and 18' are subjected to stress forces, the frame assemblies 16 and 16' will counteract the stress forces and will maintain the drum support means 26 in its proper position with respect to the mixer drum 46. Each of the frame assemblies provides a multiple point suspension system for the concrete mixer drum support means so that the drum support means will be maintained in the proper position with respect to the frame means and mixer drum when the truck is driven over rough terrain.

Thus it can be seen that the mixer drum support frame of this invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

1 claim:

1. In combination,

a truck mixer having first and second, spaced apart frame members having rearward and forward ends, said first and second frame members being substantially horizontally disposed and having upper ends, said truck mixer also including a rotatably mixing drum,

a first drum support means rigidly secured to the rearward ends of said first and second frame members and extending upwardly therefrom adapted to rotatably support the rearward end of the mixing drum thereon,

a third frame member having rearward and forward ends, said third frame member being pivotally secured at its rearward end to said first drum support at the lower end thereof and extending forwardly therefrom above said first frame member, said third frame member being operatively secured to said first frame member,

a fourth frame member having rearward and forward ends, said fourth frame member being pivotally secured at its rearward end to said first drum support at the lower end thereof and extending forwardly therefrom above said second frame member, said fourth frame member being operatively secured to said second frame member,

a seconddrum support means operatively secured to the forward ends of said first and second frame members and adapted to rotatably support the forward end of the mixing drum thereon,

a first elongated support arm secured at its rearward end to said first drum support means above the lower end thereof and secured at its forward end to said third frame member intermediate the length thereof,

and a second elongated support arm secured at its rearward end to said first drum support means above the lower end thereof and secured at its forward end to said fourth frame member intermediate the length thereof,

said first and second support arms maintaining said first drum support means in a proper relationship with respect to said mixing drum when said truck frame members are subjected to stress forces when the truck is driven over uneven terrain.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein a fifth frame member is secured to said first frame member forwardly of said third frame member, a sixth frame member being secured to said second frame member forwardly of said fourth frame member, said fifth and sixth frame members having rearward and forward ends, said second drum support means being secured to said fifth and sixth frame members, the rearward ends of said fifth and sixth frame members being connected to the forward ends of said third and fourth frame members respectively,

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said third and fourth frame members are spaced above said first and second frame members respectively.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said third and fourth frame members are secured to said first and second frame members respectively by a bolt means which limits the upward movement of said third and fourth frame members with respect to said first and second frame members but permits said third and fourth frame members to be deflected downwardly towards said first and second frame members.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first and second support arms are each comprised of a length adjustable rod means pivotally connected to said first drum support means and said frame members.

ii; The combination of claim 1 wherein each of said third and fourth frame members include a substantially horizontal lower end and a cambered upper end.

1 In combination,

a truck mixer having first and second, spaced apart frame members having rearward and forward ends, said first and second frame members being substantially horizontally disposed and having upper ends, said truck mixer also including a rotatably mixing drum,

a first drum support means secured to the rearward ends of said first and second frame members and extending upwardly therefrom adapted to rotatably support the rearward end of the mixing drum thereon,

a third frame member having rearward and forward ends,

said third frame member being secured at its rearwardend to said first drum support at the lower end thereof and extending forwardly therefrom above said first frame member, said third frame member being operatively secured to said first frame member, 7

a fourth frame member having rearward and forward ends, said fourth frame member being secured at its rearward end to said first drum support at the lower end thereof and extending forwardly therefrom above said second frame member, said fourth frame member being operatively secured to said second frame member,

a second drum support means operatively secured to the forward ends of said first and second frame members and adapted to rotatably support the forward end of the mixing drum thereon,

a first elongated support arm secured at its rearward end to said first drum support means above the lower end thereof and secured at its forward end to said third frame member intermediate the length thereof,

and a second elongated support arm secured at its rearward end to said first drum support means above the lower end thereof and secured at its forward end to said fourth frame member intermediate the length thereof,

said first and second support arms maintaining said first drum support means in a proper relationship with respect to said mixing drum when said truck frame members are subjected to stress forces when the truck is driven over uneven terrain,

said first and second support arms each being comprised of a length adjustable rod means pivotally connected to said first drum support means and said third and fourth frame members,

a fifth frame member secured to said first frame member forwardly of said third frame member,

a sixth frame member secured to said second frame member forwardly of said fourth frame member,

said fifth and sixth frame members having rearward and forward ends,

said second drum support means being secured to said fifth and sixth frame members, the rearward ends of said fifth and sixth frame members being connected to the forward ends of said third and fourth frame members respectively,

said third and fourth frame members being spaced above said first and second frame members respectively, the rearward ends of said third and fourth frame members frame members to be deflected downwardly towards said first and second frame members.

b. The combination of claim 7 wherein each of said third and fourth frame members include a substantially horizontal lower end and a cambered upper end. 

1. In combination, a truck mixer having first and second, spaced apart frame members having rearward and forward ends, said first and second frame members being substantially horizontally disposed and having upper ends, said truck mixer also including a rotatably mixing drum, a first drum support means rigidly secured to the rearward ends of said first and second frame members and extending upwardly therefrom adapted to rotatably support the rearward end of the mixing drum thereon, a third frame member having rearward and forward ends, said third frame member being pivotally secured at its rearward end to said first drum support at the lower end thereof and extending forwardly therefrom above said first frame member, said third frame memBer being operatively secured to said first frame member, a fourth frame member having rearward and forward ends, said fourth frame member being pivotally secured at its rearward end to said first drum support at the lower end thereof and extending forwardly therefrom above said second frame member, said fourth frame member being operatively secured to said second frame member, a second drum support means operatively secured to the forward ends of said first and second frame members and adapted to rotatably support the forward end of the mixing drum thereon, a first elongated support arm secured at its rearward end to said first drum support means above the lower end thereof and secured at its forward end to said third frame member intermediate the length thereof, and a second elongated support arm secured at its rearward end to said first drum support means above the lower end thereof and secured at its forward end to said fourth frame member intermediate the length thereof, said first and second support arms maintaining said first drum support means in a proper relationship with respect to said mixing drum when said truck frame members are subjected to stress forces when the truck is driven over uneven terrain.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein a fifth frame member is secured to said first frame member forwardly of said third frame member, a sixth frame member being secured to said second frame member forwardly of said fourth frame member, said fifth and sixth frame members having rearward and forward ends, said second drum support means being secured to said fifth and sixth frame members, the rearward ends of said fifth and sixth frame members being connected to the forward ends of said third and fourth frame members respectively.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said third and fourth frame members are spaced above said first and second frame members respectively.
 4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said third and fourth frame members are secured to said first and second frame members respectively by a bolt means which limits the upward movement of said third and fourth frame members with respect to said first and second frame members but permits said third and fourth frame members to be deflected downwardly towards said first and second frame members.
 5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first and second support arms are each comprised of a length adjustable rod means pivotally connected to said first drum support means and said frame members.
 7. The combination of claim 1 wherein each of said third and fourth frame members include a substantially horizontal lower end and a cambered upper end.
 8. The combination of claim 7 wherein each of said third and fourth frame members include a substantially horizontal lower end and a cambered upper end.
 8. In combination, a truck mixer having first and second, spaced apart frame members having rearward and forward ends, said first and second frame members being substantially horizontally disposed and having upper ends, said truck mixer also including a rotatably mixing drum, a first drum support means secured to the rearward ends of said first and second frame members and extending upwardly therefrom adapted to rotatably support the rearward end of the mixing drum thereon, a third frame member having rearward and forward ends, said third frame member being secured at its rearward end to said first drum support at the lower end thereof and extending forwardly therefrom above said first frame member, said third frame member being operatively secured to said first frame member, a fourth frame member having rearward and forward ends, said fourth frame member being secured at its rearward end to said first drum support at the lower end thereof and extending forwardly therefrom above said second frame member, said fourth frame member being operatively secured to said second frame member, a second drum support means operatively secured to the forward ends of said first and second frame members and adapted to rotatably support the forward end of the mixing drum thereon, a first elongated support arm secured at its rearward end to said first drum support means above the lower end thereof and secured at its forward end to said third frame member intermediate the length thereof, and a second elongated support arm secured at its rearward end to said first drum support means above the lower end thereof and secured at its forward end to said fourth frame member intermediate the length thereof, said first and second support arms maintaining said first drum support means in a proper relationship with respect to said mixing drum when said truck frame members are subjected to stress forces when the truck is driven over uneven terrain, said first and second support arms each being comprised of a length adjustable rod means pivotally connected to said first drum support means and said third and fourth frame members, a fifth frame member secured to said first frame member forwardly of said third frame member, a sixth frame member secured to said second frame member forwardly of said fourth frame member, said fifth and sixth frame members having rearward and forward ends, said second drum support means being secured to said fifth and sixth frame members, the rearward ends of said fifth and sixth frame members being connected to the forward ends of said third and fourth frame members respectively, said third and fourth frame members being spaced above said first and second frame members respectively, the rearward ends of said third and fourth frame members being pivotally connected to said first drum support means, said third and fourth frame members being secured to said first and second frame members respectively by a bolt means which limits the upward movement of said third and fourth frame members with respect to said first and second frame members but permits said third and fourth frame members to be deflected downwardly towards said first and second frame members. 